• Toyota Previa

Toyota Previa minivan is a compact car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota company since 1990. Also known under the names Toyota Estima (Japanese market), and in Australia as the Toyota Tarago. It is available in versions four and five-door and equipped with a petrol engine with a capacity of 2.4 or 3.5 liters (3rd generation).

Model previa put into production in 1990. He had four doors, front driver and passenger, sliding (one) on the side and large (flap) on the back. Equipped with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine located under the front seats. There were two versions with rear-and four-wheel drive (called All-Trac), powered by 134 hp 2.4-liter fuel-injected. Equipped with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox. This model had seven or eight locations, configurations with three seats. Previa first generation was characterized by the following parameters: 4750 mm long, 1803 mm wide. In Japan, they were made two smaller versions, the Toyota Estima Lucida and Toyota Estima Emina, which were approximately 110 mm narrower and 70 mm shorter than the standard model. The reason for this difference is the Japanese system of vehicle taxes based on the dimensions of the car. Estima Lucida Estima Emina and were also available with a 2.2 liter diesel engine (popular in the UK).

Second generation Previa had increased wheelbase (2,900 mm) and was both narrower (1790 mm) and shorter (4750 mm) than its predecessor. She was produced with double sliding doors for passengers in the rear seats. It had also versions for six, seven and eight passengers. It was sold under the name Estima in Japan and Tarago in Australia.

Models sold in Europe are available with 4-cylinder petrol engines and diesel engines. The diesel engine of 2.0 liters and output of 116hp and 2.4-liter petrol engine with a power of 156hp. Both engines are equipped as standard with a 5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed automatic transmission was available as an optional extra for the petrol engine. In Japan, were also available engine 3.0-liter V6 and a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive – the first generation.

The Australian model was available only with petrol engine of 2.4 liter and 4-speed automatic transmission.

The third generation introduced into production in 2006 in Japan and Australia as Estima (Jap.), Tarago (Aus.) and Previa in other countries. Just like the previous version for the Australian market Targeo initially equipped with a 2.4 liter engine, and since February 2007, with a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with a power of 271hp. In other markets, Hong Kong and Taiwan models with this engine were available from January 2007. Previa has not entered the North American market, where the segment Toyota Sienna is offered.

Model Estima Hybrid second generation, currently only available in Japan and Hong Kong, uses a drive mechanism very similar to that used in the Lexus RX 400h, with three electric motors – two for the front wheels (HSD) and one for the rear wheels.

In 2012, will be introduced to markets in Japan and Korea, the fourth-generation model under the name… Estima-X.

271